The League of Women Voters of New Mexico
Voters' Guide to the 2014 Election
last revised 09.24.2014
last revised 09.24.2014
Two United States Senators are elected by the entire state to represent the state. Candidates must be at least 30 years old, a citizen of the United States at least nine years, and a resident of the state from which elected. The United States Senate has 100 members. One New Mexico Senate seat is up for election this year. Six-year staggered terms. Salary: $174,000.
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.?
I’d be practical and bring a common-sense perspective to problem solving -- 2 things desperately missing in Washington, D.C. I’ve built a successful business and served in the Marines for 38 years. Those experiences taught me that in order to succeed, one must learn to work with different people from different backgrounds often with different goals. In Washington, I’ll take that same, common-sense approach to tackle problems and find solutions.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain.
The current do-nothing approach by my opponent and the Washington politicians is unacceptable and is the leading cause of the current growing crisis on our borders. I support an aggressive new emphasis on securing our border using fences, boots on the ground, drones, and other high-tech methods. I support a feasible guest worker program. I will fight to eliminate the roadblocks that are currently hindering law enforcement and the border patrol.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Senator to address these concerns?
The top three concerns are jobs, jobs and jobs! I am a candidate who is an entrepreneur and business owner. I understand what it takes to create, recruit and keep good jobs; to cover a payroll; and to balance a budget. To regain a growing, healthy economy we must have a balanced budget amendment, spend less than we take in, and kill irrational regulations that impede businessmen and women who create jobs.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain.
Would need to better understand what recent Supreme Court decisions are being asked about specifically. In summary, we need less Government involved overall.
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.?
Out-of-control campaign spending is one of the biggest reasons for partisanship. I have proposed a constitutional amendment to clarify that the American people can regulate campaign finance, and I support requiring donors to disclose their identity and the amount they spend to influence elections. Reforming the Senate to require true debate on the issues is another step. Reforms I proposed would require senators who oppose legislation to make their argument on the Senate floor.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain.
I voted for the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that passed the U.S. Senate to secure our borders, bring the 11 million undocumented immigrants out of the shadows, and require employers to follow the law with regard to hiring. I also support passage of the DREAM Act to ensure that the thousands of young people who were brought to the United States through no fault of their own aren’t unfairly punished.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Senator to address these concerns?
1) Corporations are recovering from the recession, but New Mexico families deserve a fair shot at getting ahead. I’m working to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, support Head Start, keep college affordable, and help veterans transition to civilian life. 2) We need to invest in infrastructure to support jobs and commerce. I’m fighting for New Mexico’s labs and bases, for funding for roads and water projects, and for homegrown energy -- oil and gas and renewables.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain.
In response to the Supreme Court’s Hobby Lobby decision, I cosponsored the Protect Women’s Health From Corporate Interference Act of 2014, to reaffirm that employers can’t deny an employee access to certain health care coverage based on their own ideology. In response to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, I introduced a constitutional amendment to reduce the influence of corporate money in elections.
Candidates must be at least 25 years old, a United States citizen of seven years, and must be an inhabitant of New Mexico. The United States House of Representatives has 435 members of which New Mexico is entitled to three. Two-year term. Salary: $174,000.
On the map, District 1 is green and in the center, District 2 is orange and in the south, and District 3 is purple and in the north. Click on the map for greater detail.
District 1 District 2 District 3
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
Our politics is divided between advocates of individual freedom and advocates of collective coercion. It trivializes that very real division to call it partisan. The Constitution provides for separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers to prevent precipitous governing action. It trivializes that valuable mechanism of government to call it gridlock. Let us all stand with freedom and against coercion, and with the Constitution against increased Federal power.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
Our working families cannot support the impoverished flood we now stand amidst. First, we must stop that flood. Pass and enforce laws that permit only those legally present to work. Then, for citizens of other countries whose labor we need, offer a guest worker permit that does not lead to citizenship. Finally, our immigration practices should reflect our immigration laws rather than the whims of our President. Otherwise there is no reason to debate law.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
We regulate too much economic activity from Washington, DC. We strangle our nation’s economy and we destroy jobs with volumes of regulatory agency rules. We should repeal Obamacare and return the power to regulate health insurance to the States. We should prevent closure of critical power plants in northwest New Mexico and across the nation by limiting the EPA’s enforcement expenditures to those agency rules that Congress passes and the President signs.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
I would vote against any law or proposed Amendment to the Constitution, such as that by New Mexico’s Senator Tom Udall,that would give Congress the power to regulate the collection and expenditure of funds to disseminate political speech. Thus, I would defend the right of groups like the League of Women Voters to collect and expend funds to assemble and disseminate political speech and writings, such as this voter guide.
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
It’s important for Members of Congress from both parties to get to know each other. During new member orientation, nearly every meeting Members are separated by their party. That is why, as President of my Freshmen Class, I’ve worked to promote bipartisan events that allow Members to get to know each other on a personal level. These interactions have allowed our class learn about each other’s priorities and explore ways we can work together.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
I’m an original co-sponsor of H.R. 15, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. This comprehensive legislation would reform our broken immigration system, protect our borders and deal realistically with the immigrants who already live and work here. I’m also working to make sure that legal immigrants, who play by the rules and contribute to our economy, are being treated fairly and getting the health care they need and already pay taxes for.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
We need more opportunities for small businesses to access cash so they can invest, grow and create new jobs. We also need more predictability, which means Congress must pass responsible budgets in a timely manner so we invest in working families and grow the economy. I have advocated for a balanced approach � that removes harmful budget cuts and allows us to invest in programs that create jobs and grow the middle class.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
I’m an original co-sponsor of legislation to overturn the Hobby Lobby (H.R. 5051) case and a constitutional amendment to reverse the Citizens United decision (H.J.Res. 119.) These decisions put the interests of private corporations over the needs of working families. In addition, I’ve authored legislation that would prohibit tax-exempt social welfare organizations, known as 501(c)(4)s, who don’t have to report their donors, from engaging in political campaign activity.
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
I’ve taken practical steps to get bipartisan results. I joined with Democrats to pass the Violence Against Women Law, Student loan reform to hold down the rising costs of college education, and recently I helped with major reforms of the Veterans Administration to improve care and access. I work closely with the Democratic Congressman from El Paso on immigration reform to create a more just and fair immigration system. New Mexico always comes first.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
Our immigration system is broken and needs reform. It is not fair, safe or just. We need a middle ground solution. First, we secure the border with technology and people. Second, fix legal immigration by modernizing it, make it clearer and get answers faster. We need a new noncitizen guest worker program that allows people to work and return home. I do not support amnesty. We need major changes that treat everyone with respect.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
We do not have economic policies aimed at creating jobs for working families and reckless government spending needs to halt. We need to pull back the heavy hand of special interests and federal regulations that cost manufacturing and small business jobs. We can better manage public land to bring back natural resource jobs. The government needs to spend less and borrow less. This will free up money for local businesses to hire more employees.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
The upholding of ObamaCare was one I disagree with. President Obama said it would solve most of our health care problems. Now we have health care premiums going up, people losing their doctors and billions of federal dollars have been wasted. Families need good health care, but ObamaCare isn’t helping most. It’s costing us jobs. I support repealing the law and replacing it with a better system that controls costs and covers pre-existing conditions.
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
As the Chair of the Eddy County Commission, I worked with Republicans and Democrats to produce one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and balance the budget�al without raising taxes or cutting essential services. That’s the approach I will bring to Congress�a willingness to work across party lines to find the solutions that will move southern New Mexico and our country forward.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
Southern New Mexico feels the impacts of our broken immigration system every day. That is why I support bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform that fixes our legal immigration system, cracks down on employers who don’t play by the rules, makes significant investments in border security and provides a pathway to earned citizenship that is tough but fair, including passing background checks, paying back taxes, learning English and going to the back of the immigration line.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
In southern New Mexico, we need to ensure that everyone who wants to work has access to a job and those working a full-time job are not living at or near the poverty line. In Congress, I will be a strong advocate for incentives to help small businesses grow and create jobs. And I support raising the minimum wage so southern New Mexico’s workers can support a family and save for retirement.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
In Congress, I will support legislation that reverses the flood of secret, special interest money into campaigns in the wake of the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision. We must encourage the participation of southern New Mexico’s middle-class families in the political process and prevent single donors from having the ability to determine our elections.
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
As an independent candidate I see two major political groups struggling to stay in power. These groups consistently fail to do what is in our best interest. I believe that Americans have misplaced their trust in political parties. As a country we must reject the dominance of the major political parties and the special interests groups that keep them in power with money traded for political influence; at the expense of the American people!
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
Imagine you’re invited to someone’s house. Once you arrive half of the people there don’t want you! On the other hand, suppose you leave your door open and a bunch of people move in when you’re not looking and won’t leave. Now that they’re there you have to take care of them! I recommend: 1.Enforce existing immigration laws 2. Protect our borders. 3. Support our Border Patrol and ICE. 4. Treat all immigrants with compassion.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
First concern: National Debt over $17,600,000,000,000.00 (usdebtclock.org). Problem with our economy is government interference with our economy. The success of our nation has always been derived from the unalienable rights to freedoms that all Americans are entitled to. These God given rights allow individuals to pursue their dreams, invent new products and services, form companies, raise capital and invest without interference. Market forces and the ingenuity of the individual will determine success or failure.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
Clearly the Supreme Court is influenced by political powers that seek to control the outcome of court decisions to our nation’s detriment. The decision to uphold “Obama Care” was wrong. The whole process was corrupt in the first place. It should be repealed. The most destructive decision of the Supreme Court affects every American, every day, in countless horrible ways. The courts decision to remove “Religious Expressions” from the public arena should be repealed!
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
My goal is to work on relationships. Relationships make for better policies. This element is what has deteriorated over time. Gridlock on bad legislation is not a bad thing. The devil is always in the details. Adversarial relationships do not mean you cannot understand each other. Our judicial system is built on the concept that adversaries work their positions in order to obtain truth. I can compromise. I will not capitulate on my values.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
I support enforcing current laws. This is oxymoronic because it means a change by returning to what we used to do. We need to know who is entering the country and for what reasons, as a baseline for evaluation of new legislation. Reviewing methods for legal immigration represent hope for improving efficiency. It is too expensive and time consuming for those who would like to be here and honor the rule of law.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
Debt and deficit are the most critical long term problems facing our nation. Regulations from agencies such as the EPA, Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Game, BLM, and Army Corp. of Engineers stifled the private sector. We cannot compete in the job market if companies here are unfairly taxed and improperly regulated. The regulations result in job losses across CD-3. These regulations need to be scrutinized for proper use.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
Repeal Obamacare. It must be replaced with market based approaches that will allow competition to create better insurance products for consumers. The best examples are interstate competition between insurance companies and tort reform to ease unwarranted physicians’ burdens. Stripping the HHS Secretary of much of the undue authority that was lavished under Obamacare will be welcome relief to small and large businesses alike. Positions on Obamacare and regulations are focused on improving productivity (read: jobs).
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
I have been looking for opportunities where I can work with my Republican colleagues on areas in which we agree. I have joined with Republican members to co-chair the Technology Transfer Caucus and the National Labs Caucus. We have shown that we can work together on important issues that face our districts and our states, and I believe that we can lay a foundation to find agreement on other issues that need our attention.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
I support comprehensive immigration reform that has passed the Senate and been introduced in the House. These bills are tough but fair, including a path to citizenship and requiring immigrants to pay back taxes and learn English. According to the Congressional Budget Office, reform would reduce our deficit by $900 billion and increase wages for working Americans. Comprehensive reform is good for our economy and our security, while reflecting contributions immigrants make to our country.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
Job creation and addressing poverty are two of my top concerns. I will continue to advocate for our national labs and encourage efforts to transfer technology from labs to local businesses in an effort to create new opportunities that spur job creation. I support increasing the minimum wage to help lift hard-working people out of poverty, and I opposed deep cuts to nutrition programs that help families put food on the table.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
The Supreme Court decisions in the Citizens United and McCutcheon cases have struck devastating blows to efforts to get money out of politics and reinforce the importance of passing comprehensive reforms that limit the ability of individuals, special interest groups, and corporations to spend endless amounts of money to unduly influence elections. I support legislation overturning the Citizens United decision and restore accountability and transparency while removing the flood of money in the electoral process.
1. What practical steps would you take to reduce partisan gridlock in Washington D.C.? (75 words)
I would compromise, negotiate, and come to common sense solutions on all issues. Unlike the current Administration, we will not compromise with Republicans.
2. Do you support any changes in immigration policies and practices? Please explain. (75 words)
Immigration is my number one issue, the Democrats punted on first down. I support “The Dreamers” and will support preferential treatment be afforded to our neighbors and fellow Christians to become U.S. citizens over folks who over stayed their visas.
3. What are the top two economic concerns facing the country? What actions would you take as a U.S. Representative to address these concerns? (75 words)
I would propose a real “Shovel Ready” ready project, brining water to all drought areas, improve and increase agricultural production, dairy production and increase cattle population (lowest level since 1950’s). I will support America becoming energy independent, using all of our resources.
4. Do you support any legislation to address recent Supreme Court decisions? Please explain. (75 words)
The Hobby Lobby decisions, 16 out of 20 birth control contraceptives were approved. If you are complaining, you may want to check your tolerance or invest your money in a different contraceptive.